‘Shocked’: Carjacking victims want stiffer charges for alleged thief

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Victims of an alleged carjacking at Honolulu’s airport last week feel state prosecutors are not doing enough about their case.

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Garrett Spencer, 25, was charged with theft and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle after the incident.

But Lawrence and Rose Ching, who own the car Spencer allegedly stole, think he should also be charged with kidnapping, because their daughter was in the car when the theft happened.

“I think it’s extremely hard to see how this is panning our right now, knowing that he took her against her will,” Lawrence Ching said.

Rose Ching added, “I’m shocked. He took her against her will and that’s a crime to me in my eyes.”

Seeing their daughter being taken the Daniel K Inouye International Airport last Wednesday traumatized the couple.

“We’re taking it one day at a time, but our main concern is our daughter’s safety and well being,” Lawrence Ching said.

Lawrence was picking up Rose from the Terminal 1 baggage claim at the Daniel K Inouye International Airport when Spencer allegedly took their car with the Chings’ teenaged daughter in the back seat.

“He even dragged me on the ground while I was trying to get to my daughter,” Lawrence Ching claimed.

Spencer was later detained at the Hickam Field main gate a few miles away.

The girl had been dropped off unharmed at the airport, and while she is physically okay, her parents say she was left with other wounds.

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“She’s not sleeping well at night. She has PTSD, so she’s been texting me in the middle of the night that she’s scared,” Rose Ching shared.

Lawrence Ching added, “She’s scared, she doesn’t want us leaving her side. It makes things tough.”

As they heal from the encounter, the Chings are upset Spencer was not charged with kidnapping.

In response to the Chings’ argument, the Department of the Attorney General sent HNN the following statement:

“We understand the concerns expressed by parents and members of the community.

Prosecutors evaluate the specific facts and evidence in each case to determine which criminal charges are supported by the evidence. Based on the evidence in this case, the alleged conduct does not meet the legal elements required to charge Kidnapping or Unlawful Imprisonment. (See HRS 707-720, HRS 707-721 and HRS 707-722).”

Retired Honolulu police deputy chief John McCarthy said, “I totally agree with the family,” recalling similar cases in the past in which the suspect was charged with kidnapping.

McCarthy is just as surprised as the Chings over the charges.

“He basically took that person against their will. They weren’t free to leave. They didn’t ask to go along on a joy ride. They didn’t ask to be stolen, basically have their person stolen for whatever time it was,” McCarthy added.

Besides pushing for the kidnapping charge, the Chings are seeking family counseling and individual help for their daughter.

“She asks about the case all the time, if he’s going to be released early, do we have to worry about him, and just trying to have the confidence that the right thing’s going to be done during this tough time,” Lawrence Ching said.

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Spencer’s bail is set at $50,000 and he’s scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.